Two-part package for medical implant

Abstract

The invention provides a two-part package and method of use for a pre-attached medical implant and delivery tool system. The package includes a wet compartment and a dry compartment and allows a pre-attached implant and delivery tool system to be at least partially stored immersed in a fluid in the wet compartment and at least partially stored in the dry compartment. In one embodiment the implant comprises a replacement heart valve, and the heart valve is stored inside the wet compartment while the heart valve delivery tool remains dry in the dry compartment.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A method of unpacking a medical implant and delivery tool comprising:
 receiving an implant connected to a delivery tool wherein the implant is at least partially stored in a wet compartment; 
 removing fluid from the wet compartment; 
 altering the configuration of the implant from a first expanded configuration to a second collapsed configuration; and 
 removing the implant from the wet compartment. 
 
     
     
       2. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the step of receiving an implant connected to a delivery tool wherein the implant is at least partially stored in a wet compartment further comprises receiving an implant connected to a delivery tool wherein the delivery tool is at least partially stored in a dry compartment. 
     
     
       3. The method of  claim 2 , further comprising removing the delivery tool from the dry compartment. 
     
     
       4. The method of unpacking of  claim 1  wherein the implant is at least partially contained within a sheath in the second collapsed configuration and is not contained within the sheath in the first expanded configuration. 
     
     
       5. The method of unpacking of  claim 1  further comprising washing/rinsing the implant in the wet compartment after removing fluid from the wet compartment.